Bin Laden?

[ryaldin]

Speaking of deposed lunatics, has anybody heard when Hussein is scheduled for trial? I've heard that the U.S. wants to get him on trial ASAP. Are they waiting until a formal government has been firmly established in Iraq (e.g. a Justice/Court system) before sending him to the gallows?

[skywalker]

I guess if it so happens that he is captured a month before elections, everyone will believe it was not a well timed or staged event to sell a second GWB term. I must be too cynical because I'd have a hard time buying it at face value.

Mark

[Azred]

Who wouldn't keep a captured Osama bin Laden secret until one month before elections? That kind of political windfall doesn't come along every day.

Whether or not you are a fan of Bush, common sense dictates that capturing bin Laden would be a good thing, not matter who does it. A public trial would have much more effect than a dead body, because a dead body becomes a martyr.

[skywalker]

Don't you think it is a little unethical to keep the capture of someone as infamous as Osama bin Laden a secret until it is politically advantageous? In my own little world, I expect people at the highest level in government to be honest and have some integrity. But seeing how Mr. Bush makes it seem like everything he does is for maximum voter mining it would not surprise me if it happens.

To play on Americans emotions by revealing the capture of bin Laden just prior to an election after he had been in possession for possibly months would be pretty underhanded, if you ask me. Catching him IS extremely important, I agree, but announce it when it happens, no political games please.

Mark

[Timber Loftis]

Are we a bunch of conspiracy theorists or what? [img]graemlins/heee.gif[/img]

[skywalker]

Originally posted by Timber Loftis: Are we a bunch of conspiracy theorists or what? [img]graemlins/heee.gif[/img]

No, as far as I know, Osama has not been captured so there is no conspiracy, yet.

Given his track record, Mr. Bush makes it easy to be one though!


Mark

[Azred]

Unethical? Yes.

A political reality? Also yes.

Most sane people do wish for their political leaders to maintain the highest levels of honesty and integrity--myself, included--but that simply isn't the way the world works. This unfortunate truth is not likely to change within our lifetime.

Were I President and I had substantiated proof that we had captured Osama, I would hold that information secret, releasing it at an appropriate time to maximize positive political effect. I am, after all, a realist and to realists the goal is to win elections and maintain a high public approval rating, not "do the right thing", unless winning and "doing the right thing" coincide.

[img]graemlins/erm.gif[/img] That would probably look bad in the press (yeah, like I care), but at least I am honest about it, unlike actual politicians. [img]graemlins/petard.gif[/img]

[skywalker]

I guess that is why I would be a bad politician. I would tell the truth and lose everytime!

Mark

[edit] Ever see Mr. Smith Goes To Washington? A very good film.

[ 02-26-2004, 11:23 AM: Message edited by: skywalker ]

[Felix The Assassin]

Originally posted by skywalker: I doubt that if we have Osama, it could be kept secret for 7 to 9 months. They do not want to capture him, but would like him dead in an exciting way that makes the US forces look patriotic and professional. There will not be a trial if they can help it. Mark

Nope, Wrong, Exact opposite. When we bust into his 3rd door caved entrance, we will not fire a shot, just as with Saddam. If this SOB were to die by the hands of the "infidels" then he would become a "marytar" That we do NOT want!